Younis named in Pakistan squad for second Test

DUBAI: Pakistan on Monday have added seasoned batsman Younis Khan to its squad for the second Test against West Indies in Abu Dhabi, which will start from October.

Younis had missed the first Test after being advised rest as he recovered from a bout of dengue. The prolific batsman had contracted a high fever last month that was later diagnosed as the mosquito-borne disease, as he underwent treatment at a Karachi hospital. The illness also forced him out of the first round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament.

Younis Khan has been the only change to the squad for the ongoing Test series in UAE. He is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in Tests with 9456 runs at 53.72. Before Abu Dhabi, he had last missed a Test in May 2011, and had since played 41 successive matches, scoring 3839 runs at an average of 59.06. He scored 218 against England at The Oval in his last Test appearance.

Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq today announced the 15-member squad for the second Test.

“We are satisfied with the performance of the squad so we feel there is no need for a change except to bring in Younis,” said Inzamam.

The announcement means there is no place for discarded openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood, who both lost their places on the tour of England which finished in August.

Pakistan were in the driving seat after the fourth day of the first Test in Dubai — only the second ever day-night Test — as West Indies need 251 to win with eight wickets in hand.

The second Test match will be played from October 21-25 at Abu Dhabi, and third Test from October 30 to November 3 at Sharjah.